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OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


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ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 

1918-1919 


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OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 

1918=1919 







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.Copyright, 1918 
By 

C. M. MILLER 
Iowa City, Iowa 


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ILLINOIS 


POLITICAL HISTORY 

1673. Joliet and Marquette, French explorers, first reached 
the Illinois country. A few years later, LaSalle, also a French¬ 
man, established posts in this territory. These posts were kept 
up for a time by Tonti, a lieutenant of LaSalle, but were finally 
abandoned. Later, a number of permanent settlements were 
made by French missionaries, and the country was claimed by 
France. 

1763. The Illinois country, together with Canada, was ceded 
to the British by the French. 

1778. - George Rogers Clark conquered the fllinois country 
for Virginia. 

1783. Treaty of Peace with Great Britain recognized title of 
the United States to the Illinois country. 

1784: Virginia ceded the Northwest Territory, of which 
Illinois was a part, to the United States. 

1787. Ordinance passed by Congress for the government of 
the Northwest Territory. 

1800. Formation of Indiana Territory, which included Illi¬ 
nois. 

* 

1809. Illinois Territory, extending north to Canada, organ¬ 
ized. 

/ 

1818. Illinois was admitted as a state, having its present 
boundaries. 

1831-1832. The “Black Hawk War” fought in northern Illi¬ 
nois. The Indian tribes were defeated. 

Illinois has had three state constitutions: that of 1818, that 
of 1848, and that of 1870, the latter being the one now in 
* operation. 


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4 OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


GEOGRAPHY OF THE STATE 

Area. 

Illinois is the 23rd state in size, having an area of 56,665 
square miles. 

Population 

The population of Illinois in 1910 was 5,638,591 of whom 
1,205,314 were of foreign birth. Of those of foreign birth 
319,199 were born in Germany, 163,025 in Austria, 30,859 in 
Hungary, 115,424 in Sweden, 149,016 in Russia, 93,455 in 
Ireland, 60,363 in England, 72,163 in Italy and 45,751 in 
Canada. 109,049 colored persons and 188 Indians are resi¬ 
dents of the state. 61.7 per cent of the population live in cities 
and incorporated places of 2500 inhabitants or over. Illi¬ 
nois stands third in population according to the federal 
census of 1910. 

RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIES 

General. 

About 87 per cent of the total land area is under cultivation. 
Fertile soil, abundant rainfall during the growing season, a 
sufficiently high temperature, a period of 170 to 180 days 
free from killing frost, an abundance of coal and oil, its cen¬ 
tral position in the Union, and its situation as regards wa¬ 
terways and navigable rivers are the prime physical features 
that make Illinois a great state. 

Crops. 

Historically and comparatively, agriculture is,the most im¬ 
portant industry. Illinois usually stands first in the produc¬ 
tion of corn and oats, and is among the first in the total 
value of crops produced. Corn and oats are the leading * 
cereals, while wheat, barley and rye are raised in large 
quantities. The value of farm property (farms, machinery, 
stock, etc.) in 1910 exceeded that of any other state. 

Live Stock. 

7 

Illinois is among the foremost states of the Union in the 
raising of live stock. She stands second in the raising of 
hogs and horses, and is among the first in the total value of 
live stock produced.' The value of farm animals* in 1912 was 
estimated to be $386,701,265. 

i 

Manufactures. 

In the value of manufactures Illinois ranks third. Some of 

V 


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ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


5 


the most important manufacturing industries are meat pack¬ 
ing (in which she is first), iron and steel, electrical machin¬ 
ery, malt liquors, stoves and furnaces, men’s clothing, fur¬ 
niture and pianos, butter, cheese and condensed milk, print¬ 
ing and publishing, the making of food preparations, lum¬ 
ber, planing mill products, foundry and machine shop pro¬ 
ducts, brick and tile, bread and bakery products, tobacco 
and cigars, carriages and wagons, automobiles, agricultural 
implements, and flour and grist mill products. It is esti¬ 
mated that 800,000 persons are engaged in industrial enter¬ 
prises, and the value of manufactured products exceeds the 
enormous sum of $2,250,000,000 yearly. 

Minerals. 

Illinois stands third in the production of coal and fourth 
among the oil producing states. Building stone is found in 
many parts of the state. Silver, lead and zinc are found in 
small quantities. 


NECESSITY OF GOVERNMENT 

Our experience teaches us that rules governing the conduct 
of people, rules commanding them to do certain things and for¬ 
bidding them to do certain things, rules governing life, prop¬ 
erty and the innumerable matters that concern people, are a 
necessity. So government, and the making of rules for the 
conduct of people is a necessity. 

THE GOVERNMENT WE Livl: UNDER 

The constitution, and the laws of the United States and 
treaties made under the authority of the United States are the 
supreme law of the land. The United States is a nation and in 
certain matters is supreme, and the authority of the states is 
subordinate thereto, but in a sense it may be said we live under 
two distinct and separate government—that of the United 
States and that of the state of Illinois. Each government has its 
own fundamental law or constitution. Each has its own making, 
law enforcing and law expounding departments. In other 
words, each has a legislative, executive and judicial depart¬ 
ment, and each in its own field is supreme. The United States 
does specified things, the separate states do specified things; 
and there is little conflict as to what each may or may not do; 





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OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


for Article Ten of the Amendments to the Constitution of the 
United States says that “The powers not delegated to the 
United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the 
states, are reserved to the states respectively or to the people.” 

FORMS OF GOVERNMENT 

There are three principal forms of government and several 
modifications of these. 

Absolute Monarchy. 

Those countries having a ruler whose will is the law, whose 
position is secured by inheritance, and who is responsible 
to no one for his official acts, are examples of absolute mon¬ 
archies. Turkey and Russia were formerly noted examples 
of this form of government. 

Limited Monarchy. 

Those countries having a hereditary ruler, whose powers and 
duties are defined by the will of the people, are limited 
monarchies. England is a conspicuous example. In such 
countries the people rule through representatives whom 
they have chosen. 

Republic. 

Those countries in which the people delegate the* powers of 
government to persons elected by them are known as repub¬ 
lics or representative democracies. The United States, 
Switzerland and France are well known examples. 

Democracy. 

A country in which all the people meet together and make 
their laws is kno%n as a democracy. Such a government is 
only possible where the country is small and where ail the 
people can come together at one central place. Andorra, a 
small country between France and Spain, is the only ex¬ 
ample. 

HOW ILLINOIS IS DIVIDED FOR PURPOSES OF 

GOVERNMENT 

r 

When we come to study the government of Illinois we find 
that the state has divided its territory into parts called coun¬ 
ties, one hundred two in number, and permits the people of the 
county to do certain things. We find that the people of the 
county are permitted to form townships, which are permitted 



ILLINOIS ANI) THE UNITED STATES 


7 


to look after matters especially concerning the people of the 
township. We find that the state has authorized the people 
embracing contiguous territory to join together for school pur¬ 
poses. We also find that the state has authorized the people 
of a community to join together and become a city or village, 
and has authorized them to manage their own local affairs. 

Each of these: The United States, the state, the county, the 
township, the city and village, and the school district, is known 
as a political or municipal corporation, and each has a part in 
government. 

LOCAL GOVERNMENT 

In the study of civics it is well to remember that to know 
local government—that is of the state, county, city, township 
and school corporation—is probably more important than to 
know the government of the United States. Important as 
the powers of the nation are, the common citizen in time of 
peace has few relations with the government of the United 
States outside of the post office department. President Gar¬ 
field said that “The state government touches the citizen and 
his interests twenty times where the national government 
touches him once.” What is done by school officers, boards 
of supervisors, the state legislature, and by other local officers 
usually affects the average citizen far more than by what is 
done bv the president or by congress. 


THE TOWNSHIP 

1. The Congressional Township. 

F*or the purpose of locating land most of the territory within 
the boundaries of the United States has been surveyed by the 
federal government, and divided into tracts six miles square 
called congressional townships. These congressional town¬ 
ships are divided into thirty-six sections, each one mile 
square, approximately, numbered from east to west and from 
west to east alternately, beginning at the northeast corner 
and the land therein is designated by township, range and 
number. 

2. The School Township. 

Congressional are also known as school townships. 

3. The Organized Town or Township. 

Counties by vote of the people may have what is termed: a 




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OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


county organization, or a township organization. 

In the nineteen counties having county organization three 
commissioners are elected by the people of the county, and 
constitute the legislative department. In such counties the 
county is not sub-divided for purposes of local self government. 
They are divided into election precincts, however, and each 
precinct elects constables and justices of the peace. These 
counties are also divided into road districts which elect on the 
first Tuesday in April, commissioners of highways, and a clerk 
except in districts having a single commissioner. 

In counties having township organization the county is gov¬ 
erned by a board of supervisors, each organized township 
electing one or more. Where the county has township organi¬ 
zation the county is divided by the board into parts and the 
boundaries usually but not always coincide with the bound¬ 
aries of congressional townships. An organized township or 
town, as it is sometimes called, may contain more or less than 
thirty-six sections of land and may be irregular in shape. 
Townships elect officers and manage their own local affairs, 
and are designated by a name. Cook County, however, has 
a board of supervisors consisting of fifteen members, ten from 
Chicago and five from outside of Chicago. 

THE ORGANIZED TOWN OR TOWNSHIP 

Officers. 

Supervisor. Assistant Supervisor in large townships. Clerk. 
Assessor. .Two or more Constables. Two or more Justices of 
the Peace. Commissioner of Highways. Collectors in certain 
townships. 

Supervisor (term, two years). 

1. Is a member of the county board, except in Cook county. 

2. Prosecutes suits for the recovery of penalties and for¬ 
feitures due town. 

3. Provides for relief and support of poor. 

Assistant Supervisor. 

In townships having 4000 people or over an assistant super¬ 
visor or supervisors are elected, who serve as members of 

the county board. 

Clerk (term, two years). 

1. Keeps a record of the annual and special meetings of the 
township. 



ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


9 


2. Certifies to county clerk amount of tax to be raised. 

Highway Commissioner (term, two years). 

Has charge of roads of the township. 

Assessor (term, two years). 

Estimates value of taxable property in township. 

Collector. 

Collects taxes. 

Constables (term, four years). 

1. Keep the peace and quell disturbances. 

2. Are executive officers of justice of the peace courts. 

i 

3. Serve notices and subpoenas. 

4. Make arrests. 

Justices of the Peace (term, four years). 

1. Perform marriage ceremony. 

4 / 

2. Decide controversies where amount involved is not over 
$300. 

3. Try misdemeanors, or petty offenses, Avhere the penalty 
that may be inflicted does not exceed a fine of $200, and 
all cases of assault or assault and battery; also cases' con¬ 
cerning vagabonds. 

In all cases tried before a justice of the peace either 
party may demand a jury to decide the action. This jury 
ordinarily consists of six persons. Unless there is a jury 
the justice of the peace decides the case. 

4. Conduct investigations of persons charged with com¬ 
mitting crimes which they may not try, and if it appears 
to the justice that a felony (punishment for which may 
be death or imprisonment in the penitentiary) has been 
committed binds the accused person over to await the 
action of the grand jury. Criminal cases tried before a 
justice of the peace may be appealed to the county or cir¬ 
cuit court. Civil cases may be appealed to the circuit or 
county court and to city courts in cities where there are 
such courts. 

Board of Town Auditors. 

The supervisor, clerk and justices of the peace are a board of 

town auditors and audit the accounts of the town. 



OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


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Board of Health. 

The supervisor, assessor, and clerk constitute a local board 
of health. 

Election. 

The above officers are elected at the annual meeting, which 
is held on the first Tuesday in April. In counties not under 
township organization justices of the peace and constables 
are elected at the November election. 

/ / 


THE COUNTY 

Officers. 

County Clerk, Treasurer, Sheriff, Coroner, Surveyor, State’s 
Attorney, Superintendent of Schools, Probate Judge and a 
Probate Clerk in counties of 70,000 or more. Circuit clerk. 
Three county commisioners in counties not under tpwnship 
organization (known as the county board). Supervisors 
(one or more to a township) in counties under township or¬ 
ganization (collectively also known as the county board. Cook 
county, however, has a county board of fifteen members. Re¬ 
corder in counties of 60,000 or more. In counties of les sthan 
60,000 the circuit clerk acts as recorder. Cook county also 

elects in addition a board of assessors and a board of review. 

» 

Election—Term of Office. 

County officers are elected by vote of the people for four 
year terms, except that commissioners are elected for three 
years and supervisors (also an officer of the organized town) 
for two years, and members of the board of assessors and 
members of the board of review, whose terms are six years. 
The sheriff and treasurer are ineligible to re-election for the 
four year period after their term expires. 

The County Board. 

1. Examines and allows claims against the county. 

i 

2. Manages and controls county property. 

3. Equalizes assessments in counties not under township 
organization. 

4. Levies tax for county purposes. 

5. Selects jury list in counties containing not over 250,000 
inhabitants. 

6. Appoints a county superintendent of highways. 






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ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 11 


Clerk. 

1. Is clerk of the county board and records their proceed¬ 
ings. 

2. Is bookkeeper for the county. 

3. Computes amount of tax to be paid by each tax payer. 

4. Issues marriage licenses. 

/ 

5. Keeps a record of births and deaths. 

6. Keeps a record of proceedings of the county court. 

7. Assists in canvassing the vote at general elections. 

Circuit Clerk. 

1 . Acts as recorder in counties of less than 60,000. 

• s 

2. Keeps a record of proceedings of the circuit court. 

Treasurer. 

1. Disburses all public money in accordance with law. 

i 

2. Iis supervisor of assessments in counties under township 
organization of less than 125,000 inhabitants. 

3. Ex officio county collector of taxes in counties not under 
township organization. 

Recorder. 

Deeds, mortgages, and articles of incorporation are filed 
with the recorder (or circuit clerk) which he records in 
books kept for that purpose. 

Superintendent of Schools. 

1. Holds teachers’, normal school scholarship, and eighth 
grade examinations. 

2. Visits each school in the county at least once yearly. 

3. May revoke teachers’ certificate for just cause. 

4. Is official adviser and assistant to school officers and 
teachers of the county. 

5. Advises in controversies arising under the school law, 
subject to appeal to the state superintendent. - 

6. Examines annually accounts of township treasurer and 
reports any irregularities to the trustees. 


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OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


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7. Holds a teachers’ institute yearly. 

8. Makes an annual report to the state superintendent, and 
to county board. 

Sheriff. 

1. Executes orders of the circuit court. 

2. Makes arrests. 

3. Preserves peace. 

4. Has charge of court house and county jail and prisoners 
therein. 

5. Serves subpoenas, summonses, and other notice's. 

6. Levies on property when a judgment has been secured. 

States’ Attorney. 

1. Is legal adviser of county officers and of justices of the 
peace. 

2. "Represents county in matters concerning the county. 

3. Prosecutes persons accused of committing crimes. 

Coroner. 

1. Investigates cause of death of persons dying under sus¬ 
picious circumstances, or who have met death from vio¬ 
lence and may summon a jury and hold an inquest in 
such cases. 

2. Acts as sheriff in case of inability of that officer to act. 

Surveyor. - > 

Makes all official surveys in the county. 

County Judge, Probate Judge, and Probate Clerk. See “Ju¬ 
dicial Department” below. 


CITIES AND VILLAGES 

(The following applies only to cities and villages organized 
under the general law). 

Organization 

Villages. 

The people of a district, not already part, of a city or village, 
containing 300 inhabitants, and not exceeding two square 


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ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


13 


miles in area may incorporate as a village by vote of the 
people. 

Cities. 

A village when it has 1000 or more inhabitants may be in¬ 
corporated as a city by vote of the people thereof, and in 
like manner a city may incorporate as a village. 

Officers 

Villages. 

A president, clerk and board of trustees of six members are 
elected by the people. A treasurer, street commissioner, vil¬ 
lage marshal and other officers may be appointed by the 
president and board of trustees. 

Cities. 

A mayor, clerk, treasurer, attorney and two councilmen 
from each ward (six to seventy councilmen depending upon 
population) are elected by the people. Other officers desig¬ 
nated by the council may also be elected by the people, or 
appointed by the mayor with the approval of the council. 

Towns. 

A few places (less than three per cent) have been incor¬ 
porated as towns. These should not be confused with the 
organized town or township. 

Time of Election. 

In cities on the third Tuesday in April, excepting in cities 
that include wholly within their corporate limits a township 
or townships, in which case election is on the first Tuesday 
in April, and in villages coinciding with a township the 

election is held on the latter date. 

* 

Term of Office. 

Generally two years but there are some exceptions. The 
mayor of Chicago is elected for four years. 

Duties and Power of Mayor and President. 

The mayor or president presides over the council or board 
of trustees with power to vote onty in case of a tie. He may 
veto proposed ordinances but these may be passed over his 
veto by a two-thirds vote. 

The Council and Board of Trustees. 

The city council or board of trustees is the legislative body 
of the city or village. The laws of the state give councils 
and boards of trustees the power to pass many ordinances 
affecting the safety, health and prosperity of their citizens. 





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OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


These may be enforced by penalties not exceeding a $200 
fine or six months in jail. The city council or board of 
trustees levies a tax for city or village purposes. 

i 

COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT FOR CITIES 

AND VILLAGES 

Cities and villages under the general law, having a popula¬ 
tion not exceeding 200,000 and other cities, towns, or villages 
containing 300 people and at least two square miles in area, 
not included in a city, town or village, by vote of the people 
may have what is known as a commission form of government. 
The commission form of government abolishes ward lines, 
party politics and the old division of city officers into legis¬ 
lative, executive and judicial departments. In place of this it 
substitutes a board consisting of the mayor and four commis¬ 
sioners, who are invested with all powers of city government, 
and who are elected by the people of the whole city, but with¬ 
out any party designation. These five men divide the duties 
of the city government among themselves into five depart¬ 
ments of public affairs, accounts and finances, public health 
and safety, streets and public improvements, and parks and 
public property. They then elect all the subordinate officers 
necessary to the conducting of the city business. The four 
commissioners and mayor act as the administrative heads of 
their respective departments, and also constitute the city 
council, and as such legislate for the city. More than fifty 
cities and villages have a commission form of government. 

Election of Mayor and Councilmen. 

The commissioners and mayor are elected for a period of 
four years, and in the following manner: A primary is held 
and from among the candidates the two receiving the highest 
number of votes for mayor in the primary become candidates 
for mayor in the final election, and the eight receiving the 
highest number of votes for commissioner become the final 
candidates for commissioners. Then in a final election, occur- 
ing on the third Tuesday in April, the one receiving the high¬ 
est number of votes for mayor becomes mayor and the four 
receiving the highest number of votes for commissioners are 
elected to this office. 

Special Charter Cities. 

\ ' ■ 

Special charter cities are those still governed by special 
charters granted by the state legislature before the adoption 
of the new state constitution in 1870. The constitution of the 



ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


I 

15 


state now forbids the granting of special charters to cities and 

Towns. 


THE SCHOOL CORPORATON 

1 • The school business of the school township is transacted by 
three trustees elected by the qualified voters for a term of 
three years. The trustees elect a treasurer for a two year 
term. He receives and pays out money of the school town- 
. ship, makes a report to the county superintendent, and 
keeps a record of the proceedings of the trustees. 

2. The trustees of schools shall divide the school township 
into school districts, and in all-school districts having 
fewer than 1000 inhabitants, and not governed by any 
special act, there shall be a board of directors consisting of 
three members elected for terms of three years, one retir¬ 
ing every year. 

« 

3. In school districts having a population of not less than 
1000 or more than 100,000, and not governed by special 
acts, a boatd of education is elected, consisting of a presi¬ 
dent, six members, and three additional members, for 
every additional 1000 people: provided, that there shall 
not be more than fifteen members. 

4. Cities having a population of 100,000 or over shall con¬ 
stitute one school district with a board of education of 
eleven members appointed by the mayor with the consent 
of the council. Qualifications: at least thirty years of age, 
a citizen, and residence therein for five years preceding. 
Term: five years from the first day of May. Officers are 

a president, vice-president and secretary. Executive offi¬ 
cers are a superintendent of schools (elected for four 
years), a business manager and an attorney. The city 
treasurer acts as school treasurer. 

5* A few cities are governed by special acts of the legislature 
granted before 1870, and in such cities the members of the 
council are usually school directors or members of the 
board of education. 

6. Election: 

(a) In townships whose boundaries coincide with the 
boundaries of towns as established under the town¬ 
ship organization act, on the first Tuesday in April, 
for trustees of schools. 




OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


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(b) In townships whose boundaries do not coincide with 
the boundaries of towns established under the town* 
ship organization act, on the second Saturday in April, 
for trustees of schools. 

(c) School director in school districts, on the third Sat¬ 
urday in April. 

(d) President and members of board of education in dis¬ 
tricts having 1000 and not more than 100,000 inhabi¬ 
tants, on the third Saturday in April. 

(e) Board of education, township high schools, on the 

second Saturday in April. ' 

» 

7. Township and Community High Schools—Non-High 

School districts—County Normal Schools. 

By a majority vote oUthe people of a school township a high 
school may be established. 

Eesidents of any certain territory by majority vote may 
establish a community high school. 

All the territory of the county not maintaining a high school 
shall be known as a non-high school district and the voters 
therein shall elect a county board of education of three, and 
all pupils completing the eighth grade shall be entitled to at¬ 
tend a high school at the expense of the district in which they 
live. 

A county normal school for the training of teachers may be 
established in counties under township organization by the 
county board, and by the county court in other counties when 
so directed by a vote of the people. 


THE STATE OF ILLINOIS 

/ • »t 

Departments or Branches 

In the state and nation there are three branches or depart¬ 
ments of government, as follows: 

The legislative, or law making. 

The executive, or law enforcing. 

The judicial, or law interpreting. 

These departments are provided for in the constitution of 
Illinois. The constitution of Illinois and of the various states, 
as well as that of the United States, are in writing. These 
constitutions may be defined as written documents that de¬ 
termine how the government shall be organized, define the 
authority and duties of each department, and guarantee to 
each citizen protection in the enjoyment of his rights. 




ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


17 


1. The Legislative Department 

The legislative department of Illinois is vested in the general 
assembly or state legislature, which consists of a senate and 
a house of representatives. The general assembly meets at the 
capitol building in Springfield every odd-numbered year, 
commencing on tlie Wednesday next after the first Monday in 
January, and makes laws for the state. Special sessions may 
be called by the governor. Laws ordinarily take effect on the 
1st day of July following their passage. 

y 

The Senate 

Number. 

Illinois is divided into fifty-one senatorial districts, and each 
district elects a state senator. 

Qualification of Senators. 

At least twenty-five years of age, a resident of the state five 
years, and of the district at least two years. 

Term of Office. 

Hour years. Senatorial districts are numbered, and in even- 
numbered districts senators are elected at one general elec¬ 
tion, and in the odd-numbered districts at the succeeding 
general election. 

Salary. 

$3500 for each regular session and mileage to and from 
Springfield at the rate of ten cents a mile each way; also 
$50.00 for postage, stationery, etc. 

/ 

The House of Representatives. 

Number. 

One hundred fifty-three. Each senatorial district elects 
three representatives. Each voter may cast as many votes 
for one candidate as there are representatives to be elected 
or may distribute the same, or equal parts thereof, among 
the candidates, as he shall see fit and the three candidates 
having the most votes shall be declared elected. 

Qualifications. 

A representative must have the same qualifications as a 
senator, except as to age. A representative may be only 
twenty-one years of age. 

Term. 

Two years. 








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OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


Salary. Same as that of senator. 

How Laws are Made. 

A bill to become a law must be passed by a majority vote by 
both branches of the legislature and be signed by the governor, 
or, if the governor vetoes the bill, it may become a law without 
his approval, provided two-thirds of both branches afterwards 
vote for it. A bill may also become a law without the gover¬ 
nor’s signature, provided that officer fails to return it within 
ten days (Sundays excepted) unless the legislature adjourns 
within the ten day period. In such cases the governor may file 
his objections to the bill within ten days from adjournment, 
in which case the bill does not become a law. 

General and Special Powers of the House and Senate 

* • ) / s 

The house, by a majority vote of all its metnbers, may im¬ 
peach judges and other state officers; that is, accuse them of 
doing or omitting to do that which should cause their office to 
be vacated, and the senate tries the impeachment, and by a 
two-thirds vote removes the person impeached from office. 
The senate also confirms or rejects the nomination of many of 
the persons appointed to office by the governor. 

II. Executive Department. 

The principal executive officer of the state is the.governor. 
There are a number of administrative departments, most of 
which are appointed by him, with the consent of the senate 
who assist him. These, together with the auditor of public 
accounts, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, su¬ 
perintendent of public instruction, being the most important, 
constitute the executive department of the state. 

Term of Office. 

Members of the supreme court are elected by the qualified 
voters for a term of nine years, and the other state officers 
mentioned below for a term of four years, except the treasurer 
of state, who is elected for a term of two years, and is ineli¬ 
gible to succeed himself. Nine university trustees are elected 
for six years. 

Governor. 

Qualifications. 

Must be a citizen. 

Must be at least thirty years of age. 




> 


ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 19 


-Must have been a resident of the state for at least five years 
preceding his election. 


Principal Powers and Duties. 

1. Executes the laws of the state. 


Is commander-in-chief of military forces of the state. 


3. May grant reprieves and pardons in criminal cases, ex¬ 
cept for treason and impeachment. 

4. Sends messages of advice to the legislature. 


5. May call special sessions of the legislature. 


6. With the auditor and treasurer determines the state 
tax rate. 


7. Appoints members of administrative departments and 
boards, subject to the approval of the senate. 

8. All bills passed by the legislature must be submitted to 
him for approval, and a two-thirds vote of both branches 
of the legislature is required to pass a bill or item thereof 
over his veto. 

Salary. 

$12000 annually and use of executive mansion. 

Lieutenant-Governor 


The lieutenant-governor is president of the state senate, but 
can vote only when the senate is equally divided. In case of 
the death, conviction on impeachment, failure to qualify, resig¬ 
nation, or other disability of the governor, the duties of that 
office devolve upon the lieutenant-governor. 

Qualifications. Same as for governor. 

Salary. $2500 a year. 

Auditor of Public Accounts. 

1. Draws warrants on the state treasurer. 

2. Keeps account of the financial affairs of the state. 

3. With the governor and treasurer determines the state tax 

rate. 

4. Audits the accounts of all officers or other persons author¬ 
ized to receive money from the state treasury. 

5. Exercises a general supervision over state banks, building, 
loan and homestead associations. 


I 




20 


' V 

OUTLINE OF CIVICS 

Secretary of State. 

1. Supervises the printing and distribution of public docu¬ 
ments and the laws of the state. 

2. Keeps a record of the official acts of the governor. 

3. Countersigns commissions and proclamations of the gover- • 
nor. 

4. Registers motor vehicles. 

5. Issues licenses to corporations. 

6. Safeguards original laws and resolutions of the legislature. 

Treasurer of State 

1. Has charge of and collects money belonging to state. 

2. With the governor and auditor determines the state tax 
rate. 

3. Fays out money on warrants issued by the auditor. 

4. Makes a biennial report to governor. 

Attorney General. 

1. . Gives legal advice to state officers and to legislature. 

2. Represents the state in the supreme court in all cases in 

which the state is interested. 

\ 

Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

1. Has general supervision of the common and public schools 
of the state. 

2. Is legal adviser of county superintendents. 

3. Decides appeal cases appealed from county superin¬ 
tendents. 

4. Visits charitable institutions of the state, educational in 
character. 

5. Counsels with teachers as to the best means of conduct¬ 
ing the common schools. 

6. Grants certificates to teachers ond may revoke them for 
just cause. 

7. Reports biennially to the governor. 

' 8. Advises and assists county superintendents of schools. 

\ 



\ 





ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


21 


PRINCIPAL STATE OFFICERS 

Governor—Frank 0. Lowden. 

Lieutenant-governor—John G. Oglesby. 

Secretary of state—Louis L. Emerson. 

Auditor of public accounts—Andrew Russell. , 

Treasurer of state—Len Small. 

Attorney general—Edward J. Brundage. 

Superintendent of public instruction—Francis G. Blair. 

ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS 

A recent legislature provided for the consolidation of many 
of the state boards and commissions, of which there were over 
one hundred and provided that their powers and duties should 
be exercised by nine administrative departments. Each de¬ 
partment has a director and other subordinate officers, ap¬ 
pointed by the governor with the approval of the senate. The 
term of principal officers is four years. 

The departments are as follows: 

1. Department of Finance. 

Its functions are to prescribe and install a uniform system 
of bookkeeping, accounting, and reporting; to examine 
into the accuracy and legality of the accounts and ex¬ 
penditures of the several departments; to prepare and 
report to the governor estimates of the income and rev¬ 
enues of the state; to prepare and submit to the governor 
a state budget and to formulate plans for the betterment 
of the departments. 

Officers: Director (salary, $7000), Assistant Director, Ad¬ 
ministrative Auditor, Superintendent of Budget, Superin¬ 
tendent Department Reports. The above are all salaried 
officers. 

2. Department of Agriculture. 

The department of agriculture is charged with the exer¬ 
cise of the powers and duties vested by law in the board 
of live stock commissioners; the state veterinarian; the 
state inspectors of apiaries; the state game and fish com¬ 
missioner ; the state food commissioner; the state 
entomologist; humane agents; state laboratory; the 
state fair board. It also must procure and 
disseminate knowledge relative to agricultural interests. 
Officers: Director (salary, $6000), Assistant Director, Gen¬ 
eral Manager State Fair, Superintendent Foods and 
Dairies, Superintendent Animal Industry, Superintendent 
Plant Industry, Chief Veterinarian, Chief Game and Fish 




90 


» 


OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


» 




Warden, Food Standard Commission (four). The above 
are salaried officers. A board of agricultural advisers, 
(fifteen) and a board of state dairy advisers (nine) have 
also been created. No salary. 

3. Department of Labor. 

^ The department of labor is charged with the exercise of 
the powers and duties vested by law in the commissioners 
of labor; the free employment agencies; the state factory 
inspector; the state board of arbitration and conciliation 
and the industrial board. Collects and disseminates data 
relative to labor. 

Officers: Director (salary, $5000), Assistant Director, 
Chief Factory Inspector, Superintendent of Free Employ¬ 
ment Offices, Chief Inspector of Private Employment 
Agencies, and industrial commission (five). The above 
are salaried officers. A board of Illinois free employment 
office advisers (five) and a board of local free employ¬ 
ment office advisers (five) have also been created. No 
salary. 

4. Department of Mines and Minerals. 

The department of mines and minerals is charged with the 
exercise of the powers and duties vested by law in the 
state mining board; state mine inspectors; miners ’ exam¬ 
ining commission; mine fire fighting and rescue commis¬ 
sion ; the Illinois miners and mechanics institutes. 

Officers: Director (salary, $5000), Assistant Director, a 
mining board (five) a miners’ examining board (three). 
The above are salaried officers. 

5. Department of Public Works and Buildings. 

The department of public works and buildings is charged 
with the exercise of the power and duties vested by law in 
the state highway commission; canal commissioners; rivers 
and lakes commissions; Illinois waterway commission; Illi¬ 
nois park commission; The Fort Massac trustees, the Lin¬ 
coln homestead trustees, Lincoln monument commission¬ 
ers; superintendent of printing; supervising engineer; 
the state art commission; the state inspector of masonry. 
The department has supervision over all public monu¬ 
ments and memorials erected by the state and purchases 
supplies for other departments. 

Officers: Director (salary, $7000), Assistant Director, 
Superintendent of Highways, Chief Highway Engineer’ 
Superintendent of Highways, Supervising Architect, Su¬ 
pervising Engineer, Superintendent of Waterways, Super- 


/ 


) 




/ 


V. 


ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 23 


intendent of Printing; Superintendent of Purchases and 
Supplies; Superintendent of Parks. The above are sal¬ 
aried officers. A board of art advisers (eight), a board 
of highway advisers (five), a board of water resource ad¬ 
visers (five), and a board of parks and builders .advisers 
(five) have also been created. No salary. 

6. Department of Public Welfare. 

The department of public welfare is charged with the 
exercise of the powers and duties vested by law in the 
board of administration; the state deportation agent; the 
state agent for the visitation of children; the Illinois peni¬ 
tentiary board; the southern Illinois penitentiary board; 
the board of prison industries f the board of classification 
and the board of pardons. The administration of all char¬ 
itable and penal institutons is consolidated under the de¬ 
partment of public welfare. 

Officers: Director (salary, $7000), Assistant Director, 
Superintendent of Prisons, Superintendent of Charities, 
Alienist, Criminologist, Fiscal Supervisor, Superintendent 
of Pardons and Paroles. The above are salaried officers. 
A board of commissioners of public welfare (five) has 
also been created. No salary. 

7. Department of Public Health. 

The department of public health is charged with the exer¬ 
cise of the powers and duties vested by law in the state 
board of health, excepting the registration of physicians 
and embalmers. Powers relating to health and sanita¬ 
tion are vested in this department. 

Officers: Director (salary, $6000), Assistant Director, Su¬ 
perintendent of Lodging House Inspection. The above 
are salaried officers. A board of public health advisers 
(five) has also been created. No salary. 

8. Department of Trade and Commerce. 

The department of trade and commerce is charged with 
the exercise of the powers and duties vested by law in:’ 
the public utilities commission; the insurance superintend¬ 
ent; the grain inspector department ; the inspector of 
automatic couplers; the state fire marshal; and the statute 
in relation to weights and measures. 

Officers: Director (salary, $7000), Assistant Director, 
Superintendent of Insurance, Fire Marshal, Superintend¬ 
ent, of Standards, Chief Grain Inspector, Secretary public 
utilities commission (five). The above are salaried 
officers. 


) 

/ 

V 




24 


(JUTLINE OF CIVICS 


9. Department of Registration and Education. 

- Under the department of registration and education are 
consolidated for administrative purposes the five normal 
schools. The department also exercises the license and 
administrative powers vested by law in the following 
state boards: veterinary examiners; examiners of horse- 
shoers; examiners of architects; examiners of structural 
engineers; health; pharmacy; dental examiners; nurse ex¬ 
aminers ; optometry; and barber examiners. The depart¬ 
ment also acts as the scientific and investigating body for 
other departments. 

Officers: Director (salary, $5000), Assistant Director, 
Superintendent of Registration. The following boards are 
provided for: examiners for medical practitioners (five), 
examiners for pharmacists (five), examiners for dentists 
(five), examiners for nurses (five), examiners for bar¬ 
bers (three), examiners for the horse shoers (five), examin- 
ei*s for structural engineers (five), examiners for archi¬ 
tects (five), examiners for veterinary practitioners (three). 
Members of these boards receive per diem and expenses. 
There are in addition the folloAving boards who receive no 
salary: board of natural resources and conservation 
(seven), state museum advisers (five), a normal school 
board consisting of the director and the superintendent of 
public instruction and nine other members. 

There are several state boards in addition. The most im¬ 
portant are: 

State Board of Equalization. 

This board consists of one member elected by the voters of 
each congressional district and the auditor of public ac¬ 
counts. This board equalizes assessments between the 
counties and determines the value for taxation purposes of 
the property of telegraph and railroad companies and of 
some other corporations. 

Civil Service Commission. 

This board consists of three members appointed by the vgov- 
ernor with the approval of the senate for a term of six years. 
Appointments to many subordinate positions are made under 
their direction, based upon examination, merit and length 
of service. 

THE STATE INSTITUTIONS OF ILLINOIS 

Educational. 

University of Illinois, Urbana. 


\ 


\ 







ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


25 


Illinois State Normal University, Normal . 

Southern Illinois Normal University, Carbondale. 

Eastern Illinois State Normal School, Charleston. 

Western Illinois State Normal School, Macomb. 

Northern Illinois State Normal School, DeKalb. 

Charitable. 

Insane Hospitals: Alton, Elgin, Kankakee, Jacksonville, 
Anna, Watertown, Peoria, Chester, Chicago, Joliet. 

School for Deaf, Jacksonville. 

Asylum for Feeble-minded, Lincoln. 

School for Blind, Jacksonville. 

Eye and Ear Infirmary, Chicago. 

Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home, Normal. 

Soldiers’ Widows’ Home, Wilmington. 

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, Quincy. 

Illinois Industrial Home for Blind, Chicago. 

State Training School for Girls, Geneva. 

St. Charles School for Boys, St. Charles. 

Colony for Epileptics, Dixon. 

Penal. 

Illinois State Penitentiary, Joliet. 

Southern Illinois Penitentiary, Chester. 

Illinois State "Reformatory, Pontiac. 

JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT OF ILLINOIS 

The Judicial deparatment of the state comprises: 

A Supreme Court. 

The state is divided into seven judicial districts and each 
district on the first Monday in June elects a judge for a 
term of nine years. 

The decision of the supreme court is final except on questions 
involving a federal law, a treaty, or the constitution of the 
United States. 

Appellate Courts. 

The state is divided into four appellate court districts. 
Cook county is one district. Each district outside of Cook 
county has three judges. Cook county has two branches of 
the appellate court and each branch has three judges. 
Judges are appointed as such from the circut judges by the 
supreme court. 

4 

Court of Claims. 

Three judges appointed by the governor with the consent 




26 


OUTLINE OF CIVICS 




of the senate for a term of four years. This court adjudi¬ 
cates claims of various kinds against the state. 

A . . - 

Circuit Courts. 

The state outside of Cook county is divided into seventeen 
divisions or circuits. Three judges are elected in each cir¬ 
cuit except that Cook County elects twenty circuit judges. 
Term, six years. They are elected on the first Monday of 
June. The circuit court holds sessions in each county. 

County Court. 

One judge for each county elected at the November election 
for a term of four years. 

Probate Court. 

A probate judge is elected at the November election for a 
term of four years in counties that have a population of 
70,000 or over. Ten counties have probate courts. A pro¬ 
bate clerk is also elected. 

Police Magistrates. 

Cities and towns may have police magistrates, having the 
jurisdiction of justices of the peace. Term, four years. 

City Courts. 

Twenty-four cities have a city court presided over by from 
one to five judges elected for terms of four years. Cities 
having a population of 3000 or over may establish such a 
court. 

Justice of the Peace Courts. 

See this topic under the “Township”. Cook county does 
not have justices of the peace. 

Courts of Cook County. 

Besides the courts enumerated above that have jurisdiction 
there are in Cook county courts as follows: 

(a) Superior Court of Cook County. 

Twenty judges. Term, six years. 

(b) Criminal Court of Cook County. 

Judges of this court are judges of the circuit and su¬ 
perior courts of Chicago. 

(c) Municipal Court of Chicago. , 

Thirty-three judges. Term, six years. Elected on the 
first Tuesday in April. 


I 



ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


27 


WHO MAY VOTE IN ILLINOIS 

All male citizens of Illinois twenty-one years of age, resid¬ 
ing in the state one year, in the county ninety days, and in the 
election district thirty days preceding (subject to registra¬ 
tion where required) may vote, but persons convicted of in¬ 
famous crimes are excluded. 

Women having the above qualifications may vote for local 
school officers, presidential electors, member of the state board 
of equalization, clerk of the appellate court, county collector, 
member of the board of assessors, member of board of review, 
sanitary district trustees (where such officers are elected) and 
all offices of cities, villages and towns (except police magis¬ 
trates), and upon propositions submitted to a vote of the elec¬ 
tors of political divisions of the state; including the proposition 
to establish a township or community high school. Women 
may vote at primary elections for those offices for which they 
may vote at the regular elections. 

ELECTIONS 


General Elections. 

General elections for the election of county and state officers, 
(except judges of the supreme court), members of the gen¬ 
eral assembly, United States senators, and members of the 
house of representatives are held on the first Tuesday after 
the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. 

Primary Elections. 

Candidates for elective state, congressional, county, city, 
town and village officers, judicial officers, members of the 
state board of equalization, clerks of the appellate courts, 
trustees of sanitary districts, township officers in townships 
co-extensive with cities, incorporated towns and villages, are 
nominated at primaries, except that the primary act shall 
not apply to the nomination of electors for president and 
vice-president, trustees of the university of Illinois, school 
elections, and township elections other than townships co¬ 
extensive with cities, towns and incorporated villages. In 
these places nominations are ordinarily made at a party cau¬ 
cus or convention. 

Time of Holding. 

A primary shall be held on the second Tuesday in April in 
years in which a president is to be. elected, for electing dele¬ 
gates to national nominating conventions and for securing 


/ 


. / 



28 


OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


an expression of sentiment of the various parties with re¬ 
spect to candidates for president of the United States. A 
primary shall be held on the first Wednesday after the sec¬ 
ond Tuesday in September to nominate candidates to be 
voted on in the November election in years in which such 
election is held. A primary shall be held on the last Tuesday 
in February each year for nominating officers to be voted 
for on the first Tuesday in April. A primary shall be held 
,on the second Tuesday in March each year for nominating 
officers to be voted for on the third Tuesday in April. A 
primary for the nomination of all other officers nominated 
under the primary act shall be held three weeks preceding 
the date of the general election for such officers, respectively. 

Names on Ballot. 

Persons desiring to have their names on the official primary 
ballot must have nomination blanks circulated for them, and 
these blanks must be signed by a certain per cent or number 
of voters of their party, the per cent or number depending 
upon the office sought. 

Vote Required to Nominate. 

A plurality vote nominates. That is, the person receiving 
the largest number of votes in his party for a certain office 
is declared the nominee. 

Voter Designates Party Preferred. 

A person voting at a primary election must indicate the party 
of his choice, and must choose from among the candidates 
desiring nominations from his party. 

JURIES 

The county board in counties having a population not over 
250,000 select 100 names of persons for each term of the circuit 
and other courts of record, except county courts, assigning each 
town or precinct a proportionate number to serve as possible 
petit jurors. From this list at least thirty names for each two 
weeks that the court will probably be in session for the trial of 
cases requiring a jury are selected by lot. 

The county board in such counties for each term of court 
in which grand jurors are needed selects twenty-three persons 
assigning them as above, to serve as grand jurors. 

In counties containing over 250,000 people (Cook county) 
the judges of the various courts of record select a jury com¬ 
mission of three who maintain a list of 15,000 names from 
which petit jurors are selected and a list of 1000 names from 



ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


29 


which grand jurors are selected. Grand and petit jurors are 
drawn from this list. 

Twelve men serve as a petit jury in each case, and are drawn 
bv lot. All must agree to a verdict. 

Functions of the Grand Jury. 

The grand jury investigates probable cases of violation of 
law not triable by a justice of the peace or other magistrate, 
and if the evidence presented to them, unexplained, would 
warrant a conviction by the petit jury he is indicted; that is, 
is accused of committing the crime charged. Twelve grand 
jurors must agree to a finding. 

Functions of the Petit Jury. 

The petit jury decides: 

Whether a person indicted by a grand jury is guilty or 
not guilty. 

Controversies between private parties. 

LOCAL AND STATE TAXATION 
Valuation of Property. 

The value of property for purposes of state and local taxa¬ 
tion is determined by or under the direction of the following 
officers: 

1. In counties not under township organization the 
county treasurer shall be ex-officio county assessor. Deputies 
are usually appointed to assist in the assessment of property. 

2. In counties under township organization of less than 
125,000 inhabitants the county treasurer shall be ex-officio 
supervisor of assessments. Each township and division of 
the county elects an assessor who is subject to the instruc¬ 
tions of the county treasurer. 

3. In counties of 125,000 inhabitants or over a board of 
assessors consisting of five persons is elected by the voters 
for six years. Deputies may be appointed to assist in the 
listing of property. 

4. The state board of equalization, however, determines 
for the purposes of taxation, the value of railroad and tele¬ 
graph property. 

Exemptions. 

The following property is exempt from taxation: School 
property and property used exclusively for religious pur¬ 
poses and not used with a view to pecuniary profit, ceme- 


i 



30 


OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


teries, property of the United States and of the state of 
Illinois, public buildings of cities, towns, townships and 
counties, and land on which these buildings are situated not 
exceeding ten acres, and their other property used exclus¬ 
ively for the maintenance of the poor, property of charitable 
organizations, free public libraries, property of fire depart¬ 
ments, public grounds used exclusively for public purposes, 
water works when owned by the village, city or town, prop¬ 
erty used exclusively for societies for agricultural, horti¬ 
cultural, mechanical and philosophical purposes and not for 
pecuniary profit. 

' i 

Board of Review. 

In counties under township organization the assessor, 
clerk and supervisor shall revise the assessment of property 
in the township, subject to appeal to the county board of 
review. 

In counties under township organization having a popu¬ 
lation of less than 125,000 the chairman of the board of su¬ 
pervisors and two citizens appointed by the county judge 

are a countv board of review^ to review assessments. 

«/ 

In counties not under township organization the county 
board shall constitute a board of review. 

A board of review of three elected by the people in coun¬ 
ties of 125,000 or over, reviews assessments. 

The state board of equalization may raise or lower the 
valuation of property in any county. 

Who Determines Amount of Revenue Raised. 

State—by general assembly. 

County—by county board. 

Cities and Villages—by council or board of trustees. 
Organized town—by voters at annual meeting. 

School district—by directors or board of education. But in 
.Chicago the city council levies school taxes. 

Road districts—by highway commissioner or commissioners. 

Collection. 

"The treasurer of counties under township organization and 
the sheriffs of counties not under township organization, 
shall be ex-officio county collectors of their respective 
counties.” County collectors (except in places where a 
collector is elected), 'may appoint deputies, assigning them 
certain portions of the county, town, district, village or city. 



ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


. 31 


AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION OF ILLINOIS. 

A proposed amendment to the constitution of the state of 
Illinois to become a part of the constitution must be: 

f 

1. Agreed to by a two-thirds vote of the members of each of 

the two houses of the legislature, and 

—' • 

2. In the next general election a majority of the electors 
voting must vote therefor. (Notice by publication in 
newspapers for at least three months preceding the elec¬ 
tion having been given of the proposed amendment). But 
amendments may not be proposed to more than one ar¬ 
ticle of the constitution at the same session, nor to the 
same article oftener than once in four years. 

3. By a two-thirds vote of each house the proposition to call 
a convention to revise, alter or amend the constitution 
shall be submitted to the voters at the next general elec¬ 
tion. If a majority of the voters favor a convention, the 
legislature shall provide for the election of members to 
such a convention, which' shall revise, alter, or amend the 
constitution as they shall deem necessary, and the 
amended constitution shall be submitted to the voters 
at a special election for their ratification or rejection. 


THE UNITED STATES 

POLITICAL HISTORY 

1. The New England Confederation. 

In 1643 four of the New England colonies united in a 
league for mutual defense. This league lasted forty years, 
rendered effective service, especially in the wars against 
the Indians, accustomed the colonies to united action and 
showed them the benefits of union. 

2. The Albany Plan of Union. 

In 1754 delegates from seven colonies met at Albany and 
adopted a plan presented by Benjamin Franklin for a 
colonial union. This plan was rejected both in England 
and in America. 




32 


OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


3. The Stamp Act Congress. 

In 1765 representatives from nine colonies met at New 
York, drew np an address to the King of England vigor¬ 
ously opposing the Stamp Act passed by the British Par¬ 
liament, and adopted a declaration of rights. 

4. The First Continental Congress. 

In 1774 delegates from twelve colonies met at Philadel¬ 
phia for the purpose of consulting on the common good 
and of adopting measures of resistance to the claims of the 
British Government. 

5. The Second Continental Congress. 

In 1775 delegates from the various colonies met at Phila¬ 
delphia. This body of men and their successors in office 
conducted the affairs of the countrv until near the close 
of the Revolutionary War. This was in reality a revolu¬ 
tionary body. It had nothing to define or limit its powers. 
But the people, as a whole, relied upon the honor, wisdom 
and patriotism of its members, and acquiesced in their acts. 

6. The Articles of Confederation. 

That a central government with clearly defined powers 
should be established was early recognized. With a view 
to a permanent union Congress in 1777 agreed upon a plan 
of government called “Articles of Confederation and 
Perpetual Union Between the States.’’ These Articles 
were to go into effect when agreed to by all the states. 
But as the consent of all the states was not obtained until 
March, 1781, they went into operation less than two years 
before the close of the war. The Union formed had respect 
to the operation of war rather than to a state of peace. 
Its weaknesses were apparent and after the return of 
peace it was found that the Union instead of being 
strengthened and perpetuated by it could be preserved 
only by a radical change. 

The Articles of Confederation provided only for a 
legislature called the Congress, and there were no exec¬ 
utive nor judicial departments. Congress had no power 
to collect taxes or impose duties. Its measures were to be 
carried into effect by the states; but the states were not in 
all, cases willing and some of them at times refused to act, 
and Congress could not compel them. It could do little 
more than recommend measures. Mutual jealousies and 
rivalries became so great as to cause fear that some of the 
states would be involved in war, and that thus the Union 
would be broken up. Attempts to amend the Articles 
failed. 




ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


33 




7. The Constitutional Convention. 

A conference was held in 1785 by commissioners from 
Maryland and Virginia pertaining to the relation be¬ 
tween these states, and it was realized that uniformity of 
action between all the states was necessary. Accordingly 
a convention was held at Annapolis in 1786 to take into 
consideration the situation and trade of the country and 
the necessity of a uniform system of commercial regula¬ 
tions. Since but five states were represented the delegates 
united in a report to the several states and to Congress 
recommending a convention of delegates from all the 
states to meet in Philadelphia in 1787 with a view not only 
to the regulation of commerce but to such other amend¬ 
ments of the Articles as were necessary. Accordingly, 
such a convention was held lasting four months, presided 
over by George Washington, and framed the present con¬ 
stitution of the United States. Ratified by the required 
number of states in July, 1788, measures were taken 
to put the new government into operation. 

THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT 

The legislative department of the government of the United 
States is Congress, which consists of two parts, as follows: 

1. Senate. 2. House of Representatives. 


SENATE 

% 

Basis of Representation. 

The senate of the United States is made up of two senators 
from each state, or ninety-six in all. 

Term of Office. 

Six years, commencing on March 4th following election. 
One-third,’ approximately, are elected every two years. 

i 

Qualifications. 

1. Must he at least thirty years of age. 

2. Must be a citizen. 

3 Must have resided in the United States nine years after 
naturalization, if a foreign born citizen. 

4 Must be a resident of the state from which he is chosen 
when elected. 


Salary. 


$7 500 a year and mileage at the rate of twenty cents a mile 


each way. 


/ 



34 


OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


Election.—V acancies. 

“The senate of the United States shall be composed of 
two senators from each state, elected by the people there¬ 
of, for six years, and each senator shall have’ one vote. 
The electors in each state shall have the qualifications 
requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of 
the state legislatures. 

“When vacancies happen in the representation of any 
state in the senate, the executive authority of such state 
shall issue writ of election to fill such vacancy, provided 
that the legislature of any state may empower the execu¬ 
tive thereof to make temporary appointments until the 
people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may 
direct.” The legislature of Illinois has given the governor 
authority to fill such vacancies. 

Presiding Officer of the Senate. Vice-President. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

Basis of Representation. 

The ratio of representation is determined as follows: 

Every ten years, after the census is taken, congress de¬ 
cides how many representatives there shall be. In thus 
deciding how large the lower house shall be, there is no 
rule nor law to guide congress; the number is fixed ar¬ 
bitrarily. In 1911, congress decided on 433 as the number 
of representatives or congressmen. The population of the 
United States is divided by this number to get the basis or 
ration of representation (91,742,741 divided by 433 equals 
211,877). Arizona and New Mexico were admitted into the 
Union as states in 1912, and each state has, on the forego¬ 
ing basis of apportionment one representative, thus mak¬ 
ing the present membership of the house of representa¬ 
tives 435. Each state is ordinarily divided into dis¬ 
tricts in proportion to population, and the voters of each 
district elect one representative to congress. A few states 
failed to reapportion under the new census, and elect the 
extra members to which the state is entitled from the 
whole state. Illinois thus elects two, known as congress- 
men-at-large. Several states do not have the required 
number of people but under the constitution each state is 
entitled to at least one representative. A territory may 
send a delegates, who may speak but who may not vote. 

Term of Office. 

Two years, commencing on March 4th following election. 


\ 

« 





35 


ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


Qualifications. 

1. Must be at least twenty-five years of age. 

2. Must be a citizen. 

3. Must have resided in the United States seven years after 
naturalization, if a foreign born citizen. 

4. Must be a resident of the state from which he is chosen, 
when elected. 

Salary. Same as that of a senator. 

Presiding Officer. 

The house elects a presiding officer from among its mem¬ 
bers known as the Speaker. Salary, $12,000 annually. 

i 

Vacancies. 

In case of a vacancy the governor calls a special election 
in the district to fill the vacancy. 

Meetings of Congress. 

Congress meets in regular session in Washington, D. C., 
on the first Monday in December each year. Special ses¬ 
sions may be called by the president. The term of a per¬ 
son elected to Congress (except to fill a vacancy) begins 
on March 4th following election, but actual service of a 
congressman does not commence (except in case of a spe¬ 
cial session) until the first Monday in December, about 
thirteen months after his election. 

Long and Short Sessions. 

The term of office of members of the House of representa¬ 
tives of the 65th Congress began on March 4, 1917 and 
will expire on March 4, 1919. Two regular sessions will 
be held, the first beginning on the first Monday in Decem¬ 
ber, 1917, and ending some time in the fall of 1918. 
This is known as the long session. The next regular ses¬ 
sion will begin on the first Monday in December, 1918 and 
will end on March 4, 1919. This is known as the short 
session. The two regular sessions (the first one com¬ 
mencing in December about thirteen months after elec¬ 
tion) are classed together and called “a Congress.” 

POWERS OP CONGRESS 

■ S - , y • f 

General Powers of Congress. 

There are many things congress may do; and there are 
also many things which the Constitution of the United 




36 


OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


-y_--——-—- 

\ 

States says it may not do. (See Article 1, Section 8 and 9 
of the Constitution of the United States.) 

Among the important powers of congress are these: 

1. To lay and collect taxes. 

2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States. 


3. To coin money. 

4. To declare war. 

5. To regulate commerce among states and with foreign 
nations. 

' 

6. To establish courts inferior to the Supreme Court. 

7. To establish postoffices and postroads. 

8. To pay debts of the United States. 

9. To provide and maintain a navy. 

10. To raise and support armies. 

11. To define and punish crimes against the United States. 

12. To provide for the granting of patents and copyrights. 

13. “To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper 
for carrying into execution the foregoing powers.” 

Special Powers. 

Each branch of congress has the following special powers: 


Senate 

1. Ratifies (by a two-thirds vote) or rejects treaties made 
by president. 

2. May confirm appointment of judges and other officers. 

3. Tries all cases of impeachment. 

4. Chooses vice-president when the electoral college fails 
to elect, 

( i 

House of Representatives 

1. Prepares articles of impeachment. 

2. Chooses president when electoral college fails to elect. 

3. Bills for raising revenue must originate with the 
house of representatives. 




ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


37 

II. THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT—QUALIFICATIONS 

THE PRESIDENT 

Qualifications. 

To be eligible to the office of president of the United 
States one must be at least thirty-five years of age, a 
natural born citizen, and must have resided in the United 
States at least fourteen years. 

Election. See this topic below. 

Term of Office. 

Four years, commencing on March 4th following election. 

Salary. 

$75,000 annually, and $25,000 or as much thereof as may 
be necessary for traveling expenses. 

Powers and Duties. 

Executes the laws of the United States. 

Sends messages of advice to congress. 

May grant reprieves and pardons in criminal cases, for 
offenses against the United States, except in cases of im¬ 
peachment. Is commander-in-chief of the army and navy. 
Approves or vetoes bills passed by congress. 

Appoints many civil and military officers, subject to 
confirmation by the senate. 

Makes treaties with the consent of two-thirds of the senate. 
May call special sessions of congress. 

THE VICE PRESIDENT ' 

Qualifications. Same as for president. 

Election. Same as that of president. 

Salary. $12,000 annually. 

Powers and Duties. 

The Vice-President presides over the senate of the United 
States, acts as president in case of temporary disability 
of that officer, and succeds to the presidency in case of 
the death, removal, resignation or inability of the presi¬ 
dent. He has a vote only when the votes of the senators 
are equally divided. 

How the President and Vice President Are Nominated 

Each political party holds a national convention, composed 
of delegates from each state, and makes the; nominations. Each 





38 


OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


state sends delegates somewhat in proportion to its population. 
The manner of selection of these delegates in the states varies. 

The usual method is to have the voters of the respective 
parties in the townships or precincts hold a meeting or caucus 
for the selection of delegates to attend the county convention. 
At the county convention—composed of delegates from all 
the townships of the county—delegates are selected to attend 
the state convention, and at the state convention—made up of 
delegates from the various counties—delegates are selected 
to attend that national convention. The chairmen of the polit¬ 
ical parties for the state, county and township issue calls for 
these conventions, stating the time and place of meeting and 
the number of delegates each township, county and state 
is entitled to. The number of delegates is ordinarily deter¬ 
mined by the number of voters supporting the candidates of 
the party in the last general election. In some states, however, 
a presidential primary is held, and delegates to conventions 
are elected. 

How the President and Vice-President Are Elected 

(a) At the November election in years in which a president is 
to be elected each state elects a number of electors equal 
to the whole number of senators and representatives which 

the state is entitled in congress. 

(b) The electors of the several states meet at their respective 
state capitols on the second Monday of January following 
and vote by ballot for president and vice-president, both 
of whom cannot be from the same state as the eleectors. The 
result of their vote is transmitted to the vice-president. 

(c) On the second Wednesday of February following, the 
senate and house of representatives meet in joint session 
and count the votes of the state electors. The person re¬ 
ceiving the highest number of votes for president is elected 
president, and the person receiving the highest number of 
votes for vice-president is elected vice-president, provided 
that, in each case, the highest number of votes received is 
a majority of the electors. 

(d) Ff no one receives a majority vote of the electors for presi¬ 
dent, the house of representatives chooses by ballot a 
president from the three candidates who receive the high¬ 
est electoral vote for president. The voting is done by 
states, each state having one vote, and a majority of 
all the states is necessary for a choice. If no one receives 
a majority vote of the electors for vice-president the sen¬ 
ate elects by majority vote from the two having the Far¬ 
es! number of electoral votes. 



ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


39 


I 

In practical operation, each political, party in a state 
nominates as many electors as the state is entitled to, and 
the strongest political party in the state elects its elec¬ 
tors, who vote for the nominees for president and vice- 
president of the party electing them as electors. 

LAW AS TO PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION 

In case of the removal, death, resignation or inability of the 
president, then the vice president shall act as president until 
the disability of the president is removed or a president is 
elected. If there is no vice-president, then the secretary of 
state will act; and the remainder of the order of succession is 
as follows: secretary of the treasury, secretary of war, at¬ 
torney-general, postmaster general, secretary of the navy, 
and secretary of the interior. The acting president must, 
upon taking office, convene congress if not at that time in 
session, in extraordinary session, giving twenty days’ notice. 
This act applies only to such cabinet officers as shall have 
been appointed by the advice and consent of the senate, and 
are eligible under the constitution to the presidency. 

HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW 

“ Every bill which shall have passed the house of repre¬ 
sentatives and the senate shall, before it becomes a law, be 
presented to the president of the United States; if he approves, 
he shall sign it, but if not, he shall return it, with his objec¬ 
tions to that house in which it shall have originated, who shall 
enter the objections at large on their journal and proceed to 
reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two-thirds of that 
house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with 
the objections to the other house, by which it shall likewise 
be reconsidered and if approved by two-thirds of that house 
it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both 
houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names 
of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered 
on the journal of each house, respectively. If any bill shall 
not be returned by the president within ten : days (Sundays ex¬ 
cepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same 
shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the 
congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which 
ease it shall not be a law. ’ ’ 

THE PRESIDENT’S CABINET 

To assist the president in administering the affairs of gov¬ 
ernment that officer appoints, with the consent of the senate, 


/ 





40 


OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


ten heads of executive departments who make up his cabinet. 
These hold office during the pleasure of the president. One 
of its functions is to advise him upon important questions of 
policy. He may accept the advice of his cabinet, but he is not 
bound by it. No record of meetings are kept and its pro¬ 
ceedings are not officially made known to the public. 

The salary of a cabinet officer is? $12,000 annually. 

The members of the cabinet (1918). are as follows: 

Secretary of State—Robert Lansing, New York. 

Secretary of the Treasury—William G. McAdoo, New York. 
Secretary of War—Newton D. Baker, Ohio. 
Attorney-General—Thomas Gregory, Texas. 

Secretary of the Navy—Josephus Daniels, North Carolina. 
Postmaster General—Albert S. Burleson, Texas. 

Secretary of the Interior—Franklin K. Lane, California. 
Secretary of Agriculture—David F. Houston, Missouri. 
Secretary of Commerce—William C. Redfield, New York. 
Secretary of Labor—William B. Wilson, Pennsylvania. 

Their principal powers and duties are: 

Secretary of State. 

Conducts the foreign affairs of the government under the 
direction of the president. Issues instructions to ministers 
and consuls. Conducts treaty negotiations. Issues passports. 

Secretary of the Treasury. 

His functions cover the collection of the public revenues and 
their disbursement in accordance with the appropriations 
made by congress; the coinage of money: the supervision of 
the national and federal land banks and the currency. 

Secretary of War. 

Has charge of the military forces and defences of the Union, 
and of the Military Academy at West Point. 

Attorney General. 

Gives legal advice to federal authorities, and supervises the 
conduct of all litigation in which the United States may be 
concerned. United States marshals and district attorneys 
are subordinate to him. 

Secretary of the Navy. 

Has charge of the naval forces of the government, the Naval 
Academy at Annapolis and the Naval War College at New¬ 
port. Supervises the construction, armament and employ¬ 
ment of war vessels. 

P ostmast er- General. 

Has charge of the carrying and delivery of letters and par- 



_ ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES _41 

cels, with the transmission of money by mail, and with mak¬ 
ing the proper postal arrangements with foreign countries. 

Secretary of the Interior. 

Has charge of public lands and parks, pensions, patents, In¬ 
dian affairs, education, and the geological survey. 

Secretary of Agriculture. 

Collects and distributes information valuable to the agricul¬ 
tural interests of the country. Prosecutes scientific investi¬ 
gations relating to the agricultural industry. The weather 
bureau. 

Secretary of Commerce. 

Fosters and promotes foreign and domestic commerce, min¬ 
ing and manufacturing, shipping, the fishing industry, and 
the transportation facilities of the nation. Census. Light 
houses and coast surveys. 

Secretary of Labor. 

Disseminates information upon subjects connected with la¬ 
bor, especially in its relation to capital, the hours and wages 
of labor, and the means of advancing the interests of the 
laboring classes. Endeavors to preserve industrial peace 
and to adjust labor disputes. Immigration. Naturalization. 

m. JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT 

1 The judicial department of the United States comprises: 

1. A supreme court of nine members. 

2. Inferior courts established by congress. 

The inferior courts established by congress are: 

1. Nine circuit courts of appeal. 

2. Ninety-five district courts. 

3. One court of customs appeals. 

4. One court of claims. 

2 Appointment of Federal Judges. 

Federal judges are appointed by the president with the 
consent of two-thirds of the senate. 

3 Term of Federal Judges. 

For life or during good behavior. Judges may retire at 
the age of seventy years or o^er on full pay, having served 
ten years. 

4 Removal. 

Federal judges may be removed by the impeachment of 


/ 




V* 


42 OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


the house of representatives, and conviction by a two- 
thirds vote of the senate. 

5 The Supreme Court. 

Number— 

1. One chief justice. 2. Eight associate justices. 

Sfllsry_ 

1. Chief justice, $15,000. 2. Associate justices, $14,500. 

6 Members of Supreme Court. 

Chief Justice—Edward D. White, Louisiana. 

Associate Justices — 

Joseph McKenna, California. 

Oliver W. Holmes, Massachusetts. 

William R. Day, Ohio. 

John H: Clarke, Ohio. 

Willis Van Devanter, Wyoming. 

Louis Brandeis, Massachusetts. 

Mahlon Pitney, New Jersey. 

James C. McReynolds, Tennessee. 

INFERIOR COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES 

Circuit Courts of Appeal. 

The United States is divided into nine districts, and each 
district has three judges. Salary, $7,000. 

District Courts. 

Each state has one or more United States District Courts, 
there being ninety-five in all. Salary $6,000. 

Court of Claims. 

Claims against the United States are determined by a court 
consisting,of one chief justice and four associate justices. 

Court of Customs Appeals. 

Controversies arising out of the collection of duties on 
goods imported into the United States are determined by a 
court consisting of one presiding judge and five associate 
judges. 

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES—HOW 

AMENDED 

Amendments to the constitution of the United States may be 
proposed by: 

1. A two-thirds vote of each branch of congress, or by 





I 




ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 43 


2. A national convention called by congress on demand of 
two-thirds of the state legislatures. 

In practice no convention has been called for the purpose of 
proposing amendments, and all those submitted to the states 
have been proposed by a two-thirds vote of each branch of 
congress. 

Amendments may be ratified by: 

1. A majority vote in each of three fourths of the state 
legislatures, or by 

2. A majority vote in each of three-fourths of the state con¬ 
ventions called for that purpose. 

/ Congress determines which method of ratification shall be 
followed. The usual procedure is to submit the proposed 
amendment to the state legislatures. 

HOW THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES 

DERIVES ITS REVENUE 

The United States gets its revenue from four main sources, 
as follows: 

1. Import or customs duties. 

2. Internal revenue. 

3. Income taxes 

V 

4. Inheritance taxes. 

Import Duties. 

Import duties are taxes upon certain classes of goods brought 
into the United from a foreign country. 

Example: Johnson & Co. of Chicago wish to buy carpets 
made in London. Before they are permitted to bring them 
into this country they must pay fifty per cent duty (fifty 
cents on every dollar’s worth of carpets), at the custom 
house at the port of entry, which is usually New York City. 
This tax is known as a tariff, and for many years the two 
principal political parties have disagreed concerning the 
rate or tariff that should be charged on certain goods 
brought into this country. 

Import duties are of two kinds, specific and ad valorem. 
Specific duties are those which are laid according to weight 
and number, without reference to the value of the article; 
while ad valorum duties are those levied ip proportion to 
value. On some articles both forms of duty are levied. But 
not all articles imported-are subject to such a tax; some 


/ 




44 


OUTLINE OF CIVICS 


/ 


articles are admitted free of duty. No tax may be levied 
upon articles exported from any state. 

Internal Revenue Taxes. 

Internal revenue taxes, for the most part, are taxes paid by 
the manufacturer upon whiskey, wine, beer, tobacco,and 7 
oleomargarine. Revenue stamps are also required on prom¬ 
issory notes, deeds, and some other legal documents. 

Income Taxes. 

An income tax is a tax on the income of an individual or 
corporation not organized for pecuniary profit. The adop¬ 
tion of the sixteenth amendment to the federal constitution 
gives congress power to levy such a tax on persons. Incomes 
of persons below a certain amount are excepted from such 
tax. 

y 1 

Inheritance Taxes. 

An inheritance tax is a tax on the estate of a deceased per¬ 
son. Estates of over $50,000 are subject to such tax on that 
amount in excess of $50,000. The present tax is graduated; 
that is, the larger the estate the greater the percentage paid. 
In addition, manufacturers of war munitions and like pro¬ 
ducts are required to contribute a reasonable portion of 
their profits for the support of the national government. An 
excess profits tax is also levied. 

THE INCOMfe TAX AMENDMENT 

(The 16th Amendment) ‘7The congress shall have power to 
lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source de¬ 
rived, without apportionment, among the several states, and 
without regard to any census or enumeration . y ’ 

CITIZENSHIP 

Article 14, Section 1, of the Amendments to the Constitu¬ 
tion of the United States says that “All persons born or natur¬ 
alized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction 
thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the state 
wherein they reside.” Citizenship is determined by the Consti¬ 
tution of the United States. Who may vote is determined by 
each state subject, however, to the terms of the fifteenth 
amendment, which provides that the right of citizens to vote 
shall not be denied on account of race, color, or previous con¬ 
dition of servitude. Some states permit persons to vote who 
are not naturalized, but who have declared their intention of 
becoming citizens of the United States. 


i c 
« i 





ILLINOIS AND THE UNITED STATES 


45 


NATURALIZATION 

/ 

Naturalization is the process by which an alien becomes a 
citizen of the United States. 

To be naturalized a foreigner must have resided continu¬ 
ously in the United States for five years preceding his natural¬ 
ization and in the state where he seeks to be naturalized for 
one year. 

The first step (the applicant being at least 18 years of age) 
is to go before some court of record (such as the circuit court) 
and make a declaration under oath that it is his intention to 
become a citizen of the United States and to renounce alle¬ 
giance to all foreign governments. This declaration may be 
made as soon as he arrives or at any time. This is called ‘ ‘ tak¬ 
ing out his first papers. ’ , But this oath is not required of per¬ 
sons who have been in the military service for certain periods 
of time. 

Not less than two years nor more than seven years thereafter, 
having resided in the United States for five years, being of 
good moral character (good moral character during the five 
year period being certified to by two reputable citizens of the 
United States,) and being able to speak the English language, 
he must go before a court of record and take oath to support 
the Constitution of the United States, and renounce allegiance 
to ali foreign governments. He then becomes a citizen of the 
United States. Naturalization confers all the privileges of a 
natural born citizen except eligibility to the presidency and 
vice-presidency. 

The naturalization of an alien includes his wife and minor 
children residing in this country. The privilege of naturaliza¬ 
tion is not accorded to aliens of all races, but is limited to 
“aliens being free white persons, aliens of African nativity 
and persons of African decent.” Children born outside the 
jurisdiction of the United States, whose fathers were at the 
time of their birth citizens are declared to be citizens of the 
United States.^ 

The naturalization of Chinese, anarchists, polygamists and 
believers in the practice of polygamy is expressly prohibiieu.. 

The subjects of countries-at' war with the United States may 
not be naturalized, except that any alien in the military ser¬ 
vice of the United States in the present war may be natural¬ 
ized, and in such case the five year residence is not required. 




\ 

46 OUTLINE OP CIVICS 


TERRITORIES 

/ 1 / • f • 

“ Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all need¬ 
ful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other 
property belonging to the United States.” “New states may 
be admitted by congress into this Union.” 

THE STATES AND THE UNITED STATES 

The Constitution of the United States, the federal laws, and 
'treaties made thereunder shall be the supreme law of the land. 
(Article 6, Constitution of the U. S.) “The powers not dele¬ 
gated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited 
by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively or 
to the people. (10th Amendment to Constitution of the U. S.) 
That is, congress may exercise only such powers as are ex¬ 
pressly or by implication granted to it by the Constitution 
of the United States. (See “Powers of Congress,” above). 
The United States is a government of delegated powers. The 
states have all powers not delegated to the government of the 
United States, nor prohibited to the states by the Constitution 
of the United States. (These prohibitions to the states are 
noted in Article 2, Section 10, of the Constitution of the United 
States.) Congress may not legislate concerning divorce; for it 
is not given this power in the Constitution of the United States. 
But a state may legislate concerning divorce because congress 
is not given power to legislate thereon, nor is it forbidden to 
the states, by the Constitution of the United States. On the 
other hand, congress may provide for the punishment for 
stealing a registered letter, because Article 1, Section 8,' Con¬ 
stitution of the United States gives congress power “To estab¬ 
lish post-offices and post-roads.” Subject to the above a state 
may have a constitution and laws that it desires, provided it 
has a republican form of government. Such form is guaran¬ 
teed by the United States constitution. 

All states have adopted constitutions, but these constitu¬ 
tions, however, prohibit the doing of many things which the 
states could do if they saw fit. These prohibitions are for the 
safe-guarding of the people of the state. For instance the 
Constitutions of Iowa and Illinois say that the state may not 
incur a debt exceeding $250,000, except to repel invasions, sup¬ 
press insurrections, or defend the state in case of war. Were 
it not for this limitation there would be no restriction on the 
state legislature in incurring debts. 









. Siiiffi 

0 033 239 096 A 


